For the 2012 model year, Mercedes-Benz will have at least two fewer vehicles on the "gas-guzzler" tax list published by the U.S. Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency. This will continue a positive trend for the company. Iin 2011, 12 M-B models are subject to the dreaded gas-guzzler tax, one less than in 2010 and 10 fewer than in 2006.

Instituted back in 1978, the gas-guzzler tax is applied at the point of purchase against vehicles with "exceptionally low fuel economy." The one-time fee ranges from $1,200 to $7,700.

In addition to eliminating vehicles from the list, M-B says five 2011 models – S600, S65 AMG, CL600, CL63 AMG and CL65 AMG – are subject to reduced taxes compared to the prior year's amount. Vehicles expected to escape the dreaded gas guzzler tax for 2012 include the CLS550 and CLS63 AMG. Both are completely redesigned for the new year and have improved fuel economy ratings.

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You might want to reread what you just wrote. The article is correct. The gas guzzler tax is, indeed, applied against vehicles with exceptionally low fuel economy. Low fuel economy means high fuel consumption.

CLS550 goes from 21/14 MPG to 24/16 Still pretty inefficient.
The people that waste their money on this kind of car would not care to pay extra.
Should the government charge this tax, especially since gas is already taxed? Probably not. However, perhaps increase the gas tax a little to make people that, thinking only on themselves, wasting a limited resource for everyone, pay dearly for their actions.

Why should the government make money off of poor fuel economy when we're not spending any money domestically to drill??
It's a cheap way to screw over people who can afford nice things. Most of the vehicles subject to the gas guzzler tax actually use LESS gas per year then vehicles that aren't, simply because these high profile vehicles are driven a lot less, especially in areas like the North where most of these RWD vehicles are garaged for the winter.

well this just shows you how subjective aesthetics are...this car is a rare example of the biggest visual vomit I saw in the last few years...the lines have no logic, the folds are arbitrary and the geometry of the elements is incongruous with final design scope.
I would flunk the designer of this car if I were a design professor.
Mercedes DOES NOT HAVE TO TRY SO HARD...they are not hyundai or Kia who are desperate to create something different.

No no, you misunderstand. They referring to a gas guzzler tax levied only on those with dreadlocked hair (apparently this is a large contingent of the high-end Mercedes buying population). So, the added qualifier is reallly quite necessary.